Success in the AAE Job Market: An International Student Perspective By Octavio A. Ramirez Professor and Head Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Qualifications Interviewed over 100 applicants for faculty positions Interviewed over 100 applicants for faculty positions Observed reaction to interviewees of about 30 faculty members Observed reaction to interviewees of about 30 faculty members This observations, however, are still based on subjective assessment and personal opinion This observations, however, are still based on subjective assessment and personal opinion

Field(s) of Specialization Too late! Too late! Demand by field seems to be cyclical over time: watch the lag effect Demand by field seems to be cyclical over time: watch the lag effect Outstanding economic theory and quantitative skills are (almost) always a plus Outstanding economic theory and quantitative skills are (almost) always a plus However, they are often not enough to get you a job: need another field(s) However, they are often not enough to get you a job: need another field(s)

Field(s) of Specialization Having two fields is a good thing, particularly if they are related Having two fields is a good thing, particularly if they are related Be careful and explicit on how you present yourself if they are not Be careful and explicit on how you present yourself if they are not If you are marketing yourself as Agribusiness, be prepared to make a case and define what you mean by it in relation to your interests and expertise If you are marketing yourself as Agribusiness, be prepared to make a case and define what you mean by it in relation to your interests and expertise Teaching interests will reveal your strengths Teaching interests will reveal your strengths

Application Letter Tailored to the job, institution and department: Explain why you are a great match Tailored to the job, institution and department: Explain why you are a great match Address any obvious concerning issues outright Address any obvious concerning issues outright Be selective on what you include: Do not cram it with details! Be selective on what you include: Do not cram it with details! Recommend two pages Recommend two pages

References Put a lot of thought in selecting your references: Put a lot of thought in selecting your references:  Major professor is a must  Reputation matters  Do not ask individuals who don’t have first- hand knowledge of you academic potential  Ask that they tailor letter to the job  Make sure that they are willing and able to send letters on time

The Interview Under-dressing = lack of respect Under-dressing = lack of respect Work on being relaxed and self- confident, but not to appear arrogant and uninterested Work on being relaxed and self- confident, but not to appear arrogant and uninterested Show excitement about your Dissertation research and teaching Show excitement about your Dissertation research and teaching If the job has an extension split, make sure that you know what extension is all about (and that you are interested in it). If the job has an extension split, make sure that you know what extension is all about (and that you are interested in it).

The Interview Be prepared to answer the obvious questions Be prepared to answer the obvious questions Research the institution that you are interviewing with and be prepared to ask “smart” questions about it Research the institution that you are interviewing with and be prepared to ask “smart” questions about it Know the faculty members by name and have an idea of their research and teaching interests Know the faculty members by name and have an idea of their research and teaching interests

The Interview Questions related to your job responsibilities should focus on the larger picture, not trivial details Questions related to your job responsibilities should focus on the larger picture, not trivial details If you must, be careful on how you ask about expectations for tenure and promotion If you must, be careful on how you ask about expectations for tenure and promotion Don’t talk salary or benefits unless you are asked Don’t talk salary or benefits unless you are asked

For International Students For international students, in most cases, verbal mastery of the English language is as important as scholarly qualifications, particularly for split teaching/research positions For international students, in most cases, verbal mastery of the English language is as important as scholarly qualifications, particularly for split teaching/research positions Having an accent is not a disadvantage as long as you can communicate properly and clearly Having an accent is not a disadvantage as long as you can communicate properly and clearly

For International Students Be aware of cultural biases: Be aware of cultural biases:  Reserved behavior of some cultures might be interpreted as unenthusiastic/non-dynamic  Show your knowledge and interested in issues related to U.S. agriculture and natural resources  Emphasize any evidence of proficiency in the classroom, particularly at the undergraduate level

Seminar Make sure that your PowerPoint is properly designed: Make sure that your PowerPoint is properly designed:  It should be an outline of your presentation  Tables and figure labels should be legible  Should be able to cover all material in the allotted time  Emphasize the relevance of the issue and results  Practice until you are ready for a flawless delivery

Post Interview Make sure that you send personalized thank you s Make sure that you send personalized thank you s If you must, wait for at least one month before you contact the search committee chair If you must, wait for at least one month before you contact the search committee chair Be careful on how you discuss alternative employment opportunities Be careful on how you discuss alternative employment opportunities Long wait might mean that you were not the top candidate: Do you care? Long wait might mean that you were not the top candidate: Do you care?

Best of Lucks on Your Job Search and… Keep in mind that the UGA is/will be looking for several outstanding candidates for new faculty positions